Benevolent dictatorship or democracy? The question lies at the heart of an intriguing geo-political debate but, when the subject matter shifts from developing world countries to football clubs, there can only ever be one answer.

Imagine the chaos if a green and gold coup d'etat transformed Manchester United into a democratic republic and fans voted on Sir Alex Ferguson's starting XI before vetoing new signings. Enlightened absolutists such as Ferguson would feel the lunatics really had taken over the asylum. But this type of football revolution is not entirely unprecedented: Liam Daish, the manager of non league Ebbsfleet United, has been at the mercy of the electronic ballot for nearly four years.

In 2007, 20,000 members of myfootballclub.co.uk each paid £35 to acquire a collective controlling stake in Ebbsfleet. The intention was that, with Daish coaching the players, they would run the club online, determining prospective transfers by internet election while also picking the first XI electronically.

Words proved bolder than actions. Although members, now down to 4,000, continue to vote on sales and signings, an 85% majority have consistently declined to participate in team selection.

Much as wielding power appealed, it seems stakeholders balked at the responsibility, sparing Daish the pain of delegation. As Will Brooks, myfootballclub's founder, acknowledges: "Maybe the idea of making decisions was more exciting than the reality."

Moreover, offering the football public a sniff of power can be dangerous. Consider the following excerpt from a message posted on an Aston Villa supporters' message board by a senior club executive. "Those who are looking for his head have the right to feel that want." It referred to the team's manager Gérard Houllier and came from "General Krulak". The General is Charles Krulak, otherwise known as right-hand man of Randy Lerner, the Villa owner.

With all their talk of "listening" to supporters, Liverpool's new American owners appear similarly afflicted by confused loyalties. While their interest in communiques on catering and comfort is commendable, the Anfield board's willingness to broaden the conversation arguably emboldened Kopites to demand controversial regime change.

Liverpool's owners could do worse than emulate their compatriot Ellis Short. Sunderland's benevolent dictator and his eloquent chairman Niall Quinn ignored the idiots who urged Steve Bruce's sacking following a 5-1 thrashing at Newcastle United. Bruce's side are now sixth in the Premier League.

Even the widely revered Quinn's judgment is not always faultless. Last month he scolded Wearsiders for failing to fill the Stadium of Light, thereby inviting retorts about unimaginative concourse catering, an overcrowded shop and acres of bare breezeblock walls badly in need of decoration.

Perhaps Quinn should pinch a few bright ideas from a former club. At Middle Eastern-owned Manchester City a fusion of traditional Arabian hospitality and the American-acquired marketing skills imported by the chief executive Garry Cook are raising the matchday bar.

City Square, a continental-type cafe complex created around a stage on which new bands play live, forms the centrepiece of Eastlands's welcoming hinterland. A family stand features child-size toilet facilities and, among assorted food options, offers juniors healthy, trendy, fruit smoothies. Pre kick-off, youngsters play with interactive chalkboards, enter virtual dressing rooms, have their faces painted and measure themselves against life-size models of City stars.

Rivals claiming an inability to finance the creation of similar "FanZones" might consider making savings elsewhere. Admittedly City are absurdly rich but it seems money recouped by their football administrator Brian Marwood's astute 50% reduction in fees paid to agents has, creditably, been ploughed back into customer care.

While some supporters need reminding that purchasing a season ticket buys the rental of a seat rather than the right to elect a new manager or left-back, several clubs could look after the paying public significantly better.

Instead of fuelling daft, disingenuous fantasies of democracy, chairmen should remember that short-changing fans at the turnstiles will eventually lead to many voting with their feet.